The Word God Spells

John 15:18-21
Acts 16:1-10 / Ps 100

. . . because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you.
(John 15:19)

In ignorance, hatred will thrive,
But not where the Word of God prevails;
Love is alive when all men strive
To spread His Word whate’r it entails.

Jesus told his disciples:“If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know Him Who sent me.” (Jn.15:18-21)

Reflection

In the previous verses of Chapter 15 of this Gospel, Jesus talked about love, joy and friendship. Then, quite abruptly, Jesus turned the subject to hatred and the world’s persecution. Thus, from the very start, our Lord impressed upon His apostles that love, joy and friendship (towards all) would characterize His Church. But at the same time, He prophesied to them that the unenlightened world would go against the truth of His kingdom, sowing intrigues and hatred against His followers. These enemies of the Church are those who reject the Word of God, and are therefore ignorant about God and His teachings (“… they do not know Him Who sent Me”).

This hatred against Christianity has remained in the land of our Lord’s birth up to the present time. The war waged by the Jews in the Gaza and West Bank is not just against the Palestinian Muslims, but also against the Palestinian Christians. It has persisted as well in many countries all over the world. Over 200 million Christians are living under the threat of persecution in China, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, North Korea, Pakistan, Iran, Libya, Turkey, Burma and Ethiopia. Most Islamic nations seem to have adopted a fanatical, militant doctrine against all infidels (Christians).

Hatred against Christianity has also taken other forms: in literature and cinema, “The Da Vinci Code”; in media, where religious issues are hardly ever mentioned, unless a scandal is uncovered; in schools, where prayers are discouraged, or outright banned; and in the businessworld, where religion is mocked in the pursuit of mammon. What are we doing about it? Are we going to allow this world to be de-Christianized, or are we going to work harder to proclaim the Word of God in our families and workplaces? Remember, Jesus said, “You do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you.”

We implore You, dear God to increase the spirit of Your love in our land, so that hatred & distrust may disappear, and swords finally beaten into plowshares. Amen.